SANFL 2006 ROUND 15: GLENELG
v SOUTH ADELAIDE
Tigers fierce for final five
By SHAUN HOLLIS
A HARD-fought victory for Glenelg against
Although the eventual margin of 42 points appeared comfortable, the
game was actually in the balance until the final stages of the last quarter.
South even hit the lead kicking into the strong breeze half way through
the quarter, but the Tigers banged on an incredible seven unanswered goals to
seal victory.
In an otherwise even encounter throughout, Glenelg's ability to adapt
to the wet and windy conditions proved the difference.
South had much of the play with use of the strong breeze in the first
quarter, but squandered opportunities in front of goal.
What's more, a high handball style of game finished off with a
penetrating kick into key forwards such as Ben Warren and Damian Cupido was initially working for the Panthers, but as the
ball got more slippery the handballs came unstuck and the marks went to ground.
On the other hand, when the Tigers got their chance with the wind, they
kicked long with deadly accuracy.
Glenelg coach Mark Mickan recognised the
trend.
I thought we did handle the conditions very well and didn't overuse
the handball, we used the handball sensibly and moved the ball pretty well into
and with the wind, he said after the game. The way you play is a little bit
different on a wet day to a dry day and I thought we adapted really well.
Scoring shots were even at half time, but Glenelg led 9.5 to 5.9, a 20
point margin. In the third South again squandered scoring chances, trailing
10.5 to 6.16 at one stage.
Everyone thought the Tigers had the game won at the start of the last,
with a 19-point margin and a strong breeze at their backs, but the Panthers
obviously hadn't read the script.
Alwyn Davey
hit a purple patch and assisted in most of his team's next four goals for South
to hit the lead by two points 11.16 to 12.8.
Then Davey missed a set shot and what
appeared to be a South mark in front of goal was paid as a Glenelg free even
Bays fans were scratching their heads at that.
But the Tigers turned the next Panther attack into their own
counter-attack resulting in a goal, and the Panthers were, as they say,
history.
To rub salt into South's wound, former Panther Matthew Clarke dominated
the ruck all day in a best on ground performance. He received two staples in a
thick gash to his head at the end of the third quarter, but soon returned to
inflict further damage on field.
SCORES: Glenelg 2.1 9.5 11.5
19.10 (124) defeated
BEST: Glenelg - B. Backwell,
M. Clarke, M. Graham, J. Mcconnell, D. Mitchell, B. Moore;
South - G. Bennett, J. Wright, S. Mcglone, M. Smith, R. Archard, S.
Kenna.
GOALS: Glenelg - J. McConnell
4, M. Duldig 2, M. Graham 2, B. Gibbs 2, A. Rogers 2,
B. Moore, T. Allen, M. Ruwoldt, D. Mitchell, D. Kirk,
M. Clarke, B. Backwell; South - S. Kenna 3, A. Davey
2, B. Warren 2, C. Parry, J. Sampson, D. Iljcesen, J.
Wright.